If you receive income support, income based job seekers or income related employment and support allowance

If you receive pension credit guarantee credit

If you receive universal credit

If you get a HC2 certificate

If you receive NHS tax credit exemption card.

At Heacham Drive Dental Practice, we know it’s important to feel confident with your smile

How can we help?

Composite or White Fillings

Silver or white fillings? Given a choice, you may opt for white composite fillings that are usually white or a similar colour to your teeth. Besides the aesthetic benefit, there may be several other reasons for getting composite fillings such as decayed or worn teeth, closing a space between two teeth, or repairing chipped, cracked or broken teeth.

White fillings have historically been considered “less durable” than silver amalgam fillings; however, dentistry and technology is always evolving. There are new materials available that prove to be equally enduring. Fillings are made of glass, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient.

Is worth replacing the current amalgam fillings with white ones?

We look at your situation and provide you with personalised advice. Replacing an existing filling will depend on the condition. We may advise that it is best to wait until your old filling needs replacing.

How many appointments will I need?

Fillings, amalgam or composite, are commonly placed in one appointment. Your dentist will remove any decay and will apply a numbing medication if the tooth is near a nerve. The area will be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before the filling is placed. The filling will then be shaped and polished to the original shape.

You may experience sensitivity to hot and cold with a new filling. The sensitivity will soon disappear as your tooth adapts to the new filling.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are new facings for your teeth, which cover or disguise a wide variety of dental imperfections, for example:

Crooked teeth

Discolouring

Unwanted or uneven gaps

To cover teeth that are too big or too small

Veneers are very thin and durable pieces of porcelain that can be shaped or coloured by the dental laboratory to match your teeth. A thin layer of porcelain veneer is attached to the front of the tooth.

If you’re interested in veneers or other cosmetic procedures, contact us to arrange an appointment, and we can discuss the options that are right for you.

Crowns

There are several reasons you may need a crown fitted on a tooth. The most common include capping a fractured, or broken tooth, decayed teeth, large fillings or for cosmetic reasons.

A crown is a type of cap that is fixed over a real tooth, restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns are made from either metal, porcelain or a combination of both materials and are designed to blend in with your teeth.

Fitting a crown typically requires two appointments. At your first appointment, we will take impressions (moulds) that will be used to create the crown. This mould will also be used to create a temporary crown. Your dentist will remove any decay and shape the old tooth down before fitting the tooth with the temporary crown. Your temporary crown will remain in place until your second appointment.

At your second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, and your permanent crown fitted, ensuring the spacing and bite are accurate.

Bridges

If you’re not happy with a missing tooth or a gap in your mouth, a bridge may be the right choice to fill the gap, helping you feel more confident with your smile. Besides cosmetic purposes, other reasons for a bridge may include restoring chewing function or speech.

A bridge is a fixed (non-removable) replacement for a missing tooth or gaps. Bridges are designed to blend in with your teeth.

A bridge requires at least two appointments.

At your first appointment, you will have impressions (moulds) taken of the surrounding teeth. The anchor teeth are prepared by removing a portion of the enamel, and a temporary bridge is fitted.

At your second appointment, you’ll receive your new, permanent bridge. The bridge will be carefully fitted at your second appointment, adjusted and permanently cemented.